His fricassee of snails contains the spicy Japanese condiment red yuzu kosho, local fiddlehead ferns and resinous Greek mastic infused with English peas.

WSJ: Snails Quicken Their Culinary Pace

"There is an irrational mentality about revering the Emperor, " says Tadashi Kosho, a respected historian retired from Komazawa University, who himself risks the ire of right-wing activists by making such a statement.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Lesser Majesty